KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The novel coronavirus or COVID-19 was formally declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.
This is a running list of everything you need to know about the virus and its impact on the Kansas City metro area.
Number of cases and deaths
Johns Hopkins offers live, interactive map of global coronavirus cases
Coronavirus hotlines
Kansas: If you are a Kansas resident and need information about coronavirus, you can call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 1-866-534-3463. You can find more information here.
Missouri: If you are a Missouri resident and need information about coronavirus, you can call the 24/7 hotline at 877-435-8411. You can find more information here.
States of emergency
Kansas City metro issues ‘stay-at-home’ order, extends Missouri school closures for next month
The order will go into effect on Tuesday, March 24 and last through April 24. It directs residents to stay at home except for essential needs.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to issue executive order limiting gatherings to 10 people
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has announced her intention to sign an executive order limiting gatherings in the state to 10 people in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Missouri Gov. Parson to ban gatherings of more than 10 people statewide
Parson stressed that it won’t require businesses to close and includes exceptions for hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and government and religious services.
Kansas releases new coronavirus mandates for travelers and people with suspected infection
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has released new mandates surrounding specific travel within the U.S. and what to do if a person suspects they have been infected with the coronavirus.
Mayor Lucas closes all Kansas City schools — public, private and more — until at least April 1
In addition to schools being closed until April, restaurants and taverns are encouraged to serve customers through drive thru, pick up or delivery. Visits to nursing homes are also banned and companies are encouraged to have non-essential personnel to work from home.
White House advises public avoid groups of more than 10, stay away from bars and restaurants
The White House advised people not to gather in groups of more than 10 in a set of new guidelines to fight the coronavirus outbreak released Monday, as well as asked them to stay away from bars, restaurants and food courts, and to not travel if possible.
Trump is declaring both a national emergency and invoking the Stafford Act, which gives access to additional funding. He said $50 billion will be dedicated fighting the spread of COVID-19.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson declares State of Emergency for Missouri over COVID-19
On Friday, Gov. Mike Parson declared a state of emergency for Missouri while also announcing two more “presumptive positive” cases in the state. Parson did not provide any specific details, such as location or patient details, Friday afternoon about the two new cases when he announced them.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced a Declaration of Emergency for COVID-19
Governor Kelly made the announcement after she confirmed news of Kansas’ first coronavirus death. The declaration will free up state resources and personnel to help with the response to the virus.
Independence declares state of emergency
Independence Mayor Eileen Weir announced Thursday that Independence is under a state of emergency in response to COVID-19. The order in Jackson County already bans events of more than 1,000 people, but the city’s declaration has more information on bill payment, events, etc.
Johnson, Wyandotte counties declare State of Emergency in response to coronavirus
While each county will be allowed to access additional resources to fight the pandemic, only Johnson County is limiting large gatherings.
Emergency funding
Jackson County executive proposes $10 million emergency funding plan to combat COVID-19
Grocery stores and restaurants
Need food? Here’s an update on grocery store and restaurant hours and operations in the KC metro
Utilities
BPU suspends disconnects during coronavirus pandemic
Evergy won’t shut off power for customers facing financial hardships amid virus outbreak
Independence Power and Light announces no disconnections during state of emergency
Jobs
Looking for a job because of coronavirus? These companies are hiring
School cancellations
All 555 school districts in Missouri close voluntarily, Gov. Parson announces
Metro school districts canceling for weeks due to coronavirus; check school closings here
Universities
K-State switches to remote classes for rest of semester, cancels graduation and closing dorms
Mizzou, UMKC and other UM schools suspend in-person classes for remainder of spring semester
Avila University moves online March 23
JCCC cancels classes until March 30, when classes move online
KU to delay resuming classes, then shift to online due to coronavirus
Kansas City University transitions to online classes amid COVID 19 pandemic
Park University classes will be held online effective March 16
Northwest Missouri State University moving online for rest of semester
William Jewell moves to online classes March 23- April 5
Baker University in Baldwin City transitions to online classes March 23 – April 5
MidAmerica Nazarene University extends spring break, now March 14-March 27
Zoo
KC Zoo temporarily closing amid coronavirus pandemic
Event cancellations
Silverstein Eye Centers Arena postpones events until May 15
Kansas City Public Library Temporarily Closes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
KC Broadway Series postpones “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Aladdin”
Johnson County Theater in the Park postpones indoor premier of “Be More Chill”
Planet Comicon postpones Kansas City event
City leaders cancel Leavenworth St. Patrick’s Day parade to protect community
Health officials cancel Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day parade due to coronavirus
Organizers cancel North Kansas City’s Snake Saturday Parade
Organizers cancel KC’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day parade
Lee’s Summit cancels Emerald Isle Parade, but says pub crawl will go on as scheduled
Cher postpones entire ‘Here We Go Again Tour’ including Kansas City stop at Sprint Center
Dan + Shay concert at Sprint Center postponed 4 months amid coronavirus concerns
KCPD suspends all community events for 30 days
KC Film Festival postponed until August
Greater Kansas City Home Show canceled
KC Symphony events impacted through April 1
MercyMe postponed concert in Independence until October 23
The 2020 Road Show in Independence was canceled
Sturgill Simpson with Tyler Childers are postponing their show in Independence
Toughest Monster Truck Tour’s stop in Independence postponed
Disney On Ice cancels show at Sprint Center
Kansas City Broadway Series postpones Fiddler on the Roof at the Kauffman Center
Sporting event cancellations
2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics will be postponed, says IOC member
Big 12 cancels all conference competitions for remainder of school year
Masters postponed due to coronavirus
XFL cancels remainder of 2020 football season due to coronavirus concerns
NCAA cancels ‘March Madness’ basketball tournament due to coronavirus precautions
Big 12, SEC, Big 10, ACC all cancel tournaments due to coronavirus concerns
Major League Soccer suspends season for 30 days to assess coronavirus concerns
NASCAR postpones the Atlanta and Homestead races
KU Athletics cancels all travel indefintely
MLB suspending operations, delaying start of season at least two weeks
NBA suspends season until further notice due to coronavirus, player tests positive
NAIA Convention planned for March 28 in Kansas City canceled
Government and public buildings
Social Security Administration offices closed; offering online services
Kansas City Public Library Temporarily Closes in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Blue Springs closing public city facilities beginning March 17
North Kansas City closes city facilities beginning March 16
Roeland Park cancels events, meetings
Shawnee closes some facilities, activities
Lee’s Summit cancels activities
Lenexa closes facilities, programs to limit spread of COVID-19
City of Belton cancels events to limit spread of coronavirus spread
Leawood Public Works is closings City Hall until further notice to sanitize
Johnson County, Kansas jury trials through May 1, 2020 have been continued
Missouri Department of Conservation closes nature centers and visitor centers.
Shopping centers
Legends Outlets temporarily closing starting Tuesday in response to executive order
Independence Center will close Friday and not reopen until March 31
Legends Outlets modifying hours in response to COVID-19 outbreak
Oak Park Mall is suspending all planned events and Easter photo operations
Churches
Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas dispends obligation to attend Sunday Mass
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph dispends obligation to attend Sunday Mass
Westside Family Church to hold services online March 15
Museums
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is closing for 3 weeks, from March 14-April 3
WWI Museum and Memorial cancels all public events for three weeks
Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City closes indefinitely starting March 14
Community centers
Douglas County – Lawrence closing indoor parks and rec facilities for 14 days
Blue Valley Rec Center closed until March 23
Johnson County Library branches closed through Tuesday, March 31
Lee’s Summit closes all community centers, shelter rentals
Blue Springs closes the Fieldhouse until at least Monday, April 6
Animal shelters
Wayside Waifs temporarily closing shelter to public, canceling services amid coronavirus pandemic
Humane Society of Greater KC offers adoptions by appointment only, drive up clinics
Spay and Neuter KC suspends services through the end of March
Hotels and resorts
Great Wolf Lodge temporarily closing until April 2
